* Progress Update - August 2008

Once again it is the first Saturday of the month, so it is time for a goals/progress update. My dividend portfolio continued to improve in August after the June collapse. Annualized dividend income has increased every month since I began tracking it in November 2007. I am still concerned about some stocks reducing their dividend. However, since I am well ahead of my 2008 goal it is unlikely I will fall below it. Now onto the numbers.

* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - September 5, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* Dividend Stocks In the News: September 4, 2008

Just as picking fruit from a mango tree does not harm it, living off dividends does not damage the investment's ability to produce future results. A mango tree's life will easily span an entire generation. Similarly, well-chosen dividend investments will not only provide income in retirement, but can be passed to your children who can continue to reap the benefits.

* Stock Analysis: Integrys Energy Group (TEG)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Integrys Energy Group (TEG). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Integrys Energy Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a regulated electric and natural gas utility company in the United States and Canada. It purchases, generates, and distributes electric power; and purchases and distributes natural gas.

* Inverted Yield On Cost Curve

A yield curve is the relationship between yield and maturity. In a "normal" yield curve yields rise as maturity lengthens. When yields drop as the term lengthens, it is referred to as an inverted yield curve. A Yield On Cost (current dividend/basis) curve, like a yield curve, should increase as you move forward in time.

* Stock Analysis: Avery Dennison (AVY)

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net August 25, 2008.

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Avery Dennison (AVY). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Avery Dennison Corp. is a leading worldwide manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesives and materials, office products, labels, retail systems and specialty chemicals.